Volunteers are being asked to join Environmental Task Forces in a bid to keep local communities looking their best.

A recruitment drive has been launched to encourage people to join more than 500 dedicated volunteers across the city who take pride in their communities and organise litter picks.

Information events have been organised where anyone interested can find out more about the help and support available from the Environmental Task Force (ETF).

Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteers (NIVs) are supplied with equipment such as litter pickers, gloves and tabards by the Task Force. Volunteers either carry out individual litter picks or organise larger community events - depending on how much time they want to dedicate.

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Mary Williamson, from Craigton, near Govan, has been a NIV for more than five years and says it's a sociable way to meet your neighbours and take care of your community.

Mary, 59, picks up litter weekly in front of her own home and those of her neighbours. Once a month she also takes part in a bigger clean-up with the Craigton Residents Action Group.

She said: "I'd most definitely encourage people to get involved. It's more sociable than hard work. If there are a few of you getting together to do it, you can have a cup of tea and a chat afterwards. If I hadn't been doing this, I wouldn't know so many of my neighbours.

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"It's rewarding and good exercise as well as making the street look better."

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the ETF, added: "Glasgow's army of more than 500 Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteers take real pride in their communities and the work they do in their own areas is truly inspirational.

"I'd urge anyone with a love of their neighbourhood to consider becoming a NIV. They'll receive equipment and support from the Task Force and be doing their bit to help Glasgow's communities flourish."

•NIV information events will take place in Pollok Community Centre tomorrow; Drumchapel Community Centre on Monday, August 8 and in Calton Heritage and Learning Centre on Thursday, August 18. All the events start at 6pm.